
As an unconventional Chinese New Year greeting, above is a simple calligraphic piece of ‘Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s Admonition for the Masses’ (普贤菩萨警众偈) with a new translation below. I hope the strokes highlight a sense of fragility, transience, urgency, focus and determination, which are qualities mentioned in the verse.
是日已过,命亦随减;
如少水鱼,斯有何乐?
大众!
当勤精进, 如救头燃;
但念无常,慎勿放逸!
This day has just passed, and life has shortened accordingly;
Like fish with lesser water, what joy is there?
All!
Endeavour with diligence now, as if extinguishing a fire on your head;
Be mindful of impermanence, and beware of laxity!